Morales' bat seems fine even if ankle is question (PHOTOS)

Feb. 16, 2011

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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As position players coming off surgeries last year, Chris Pettit (in the cage), Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar (far right) were allowed to report to camp early. They took batting practice together on one of the far fields at the Angels' training complex Tuesday.

Click on the photos for a quick look at Morales taking his swings. TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY BILL PLUNKETT

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Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher joked about heading out to the far fields with Morales, Aybar and Pettit.

"We can just walk over to Whattaburger for lunch," he said, referring to the fast-food restaurant on the street behind the Angels' complex.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY BILL PLUNKETT

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Angels first baseman Kendry Morales is not participating in fielding drills or doing any running yet as a precaution. He suffered a traumatic leg injury, fracturing his left ankle last May. There are still six screws in the joint and a long scar on the outside of his ankle.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY BILL PLUNKETT

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As Pettit waits his turn, Morales takes his swings in the cage.

Hatcher says he sees no signs that Morales is favoring his injured left ankle or lacks any leverage in his swing as a result of last year's fracture.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY BILL PLUNKETT

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Morales and Pettit follow the flight of the ball as it clears the center field fence.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY BILL PLUNKETT

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The Angels are counting heavily on Morales to regain his 2009 form when he batted .306, led the team in home runs (34) and RBI (108) and finished fifth in the AL MVP voting.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY BILL PLUNKETT

As position players coming off surgeries last year, Chris Pettit (in the cage), Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar (far right) were allowed to report to camp early. They took batting practice together on one of the far fields at the Angels' training complex Tuesday.

Click on the photos for a quick look at Morales taking his swings.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY BILL PLUNKETT

The Angels might not want Kendry Morales to try running on his rehabilitated left ankle yet – but they have no objections to his hitting.

As a player coming off an injury, Morales is allowed to report early to the Angels' spring training camp. Along with shortstop Erick Aybar (knee surgery) and outfield prospect Chris Pettit (shoulder surgery), Morales heads over to one of the far fields on the minor-league side of the Angels' spring complex and take batting practice off Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher.

Hatcher said he sees no signs that Morales is favoring his ankle (broken last May 29 when he landed awkwardly on home plate during a celebration of his game-winning grand slam) when batting either right- or left-handed.

Click on the photo for a quick look at Morales taking his hacks Tuesday.

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